Mundie Moms

Friday, April 8, 2011

Audiobook Review - City of Fallen Angels

Written by: Cassandra Clare
Source: Purchased and received from Publisher
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars - This audiobook is a must have!

* * SPOILER FREE REVIEW * *
The Mortal War is over, and sixteen-year-old Clary Fray is back home in New York, excited about all the possibilities before her. She's training to become a Shadowhunter and to use her unique power. Her mother is getting married to the love of her life. Downworlders and Shadowhunters are at peace at last. And—most importantly of all—she can finally call Jace her boyfriend.

But nothing comes without a price.

Someone is murdering Shadowhunters, provoking tensions between Downworlders and Shadowhunters that could lead to a second, bloody war. Clary's best friend, Simon, can't help her. His mother just found out that he's a vampire and now he's homeless. Everywhere he turns, someone wants him on their side—along with the power of the curse that's wrecking his life. And they're willing to do anything to get what they want. Not to mention that he's dating two beautiful, dangerous girls—neither of whom knows about the other one.

When Jace begins to pull away from her without explaining why, Clary is forced to delve into the heart of a mystery whose solution reveals her worst nightmare: she herself has set in motion a terrible chain of events that could lead to her losing everything she loves. Even Jace.

Love. Blood. Betrayal. Revenge. The stakes are higher than ever in City of Fallen Angels.

I listened to the City of Fallen Angels audiobook after I read the book itself; I’m that much of a Cassandra Clare fan that I like to immerse myself in her world and yes, as a result, I own multiple formats of her stories. I know you're not judging here, MMs, and that a lot of you do the same.

But, I’m very picky about my audiobooks. I’m a busy mom with lots of commitments, so if I’m going to spend a thirteen hours listening to something, well, it better be good. Simon and Schuster Audio understands that because they consistently produce quality audiobooks and in this case, yes, they’ve done it again.

They cast the always adorable Molly C. Quinn (from the TV show “Castle”) as the voice of the female point-of-view chapters in City of Fallen Angels. And Molly delivers these kick-a$$ girls brilliantly. Her intonations when she’s reading Isabelle bring to life one of my favorite characters. We all know how confident and all-knowing Izzy is in the books, and MMs, she sounds just that way in the audiobook. As for Clary, I have an absolute love of how Molly presents Clary’s dialogue – what I heard was the stubborn, smart and oh-so-in-love-with-Jace character I’ve known throughout the stories. Major credit to Molly for delivering the boys’ dialogue in a believable and snarky way and for reading through those That-Did-NOT-Just-Happen Kissy Scenes. I’m not sure if this is her first audiobook, but I hope it’s not her last.

As for Ed Westwick (of "Gossip Girl" fame), let me start off by saying that I’m a huge fan of his and I was dying of curiosity to hear his take on the chapters featuring the boys’ points-of-view. There were things that surprised me – like the fact that he gets all the characters. His interpretation of Simon’s dialogue was especially perfect. In my head, Simon always sounded just like that – nerdy, sweet and sometimes surprised by his own conclusions. As for Jace, I may be sighing a little here, Ed does a perfect Jace. That sleepy, drawn out way that Cassie describes Jace’s sarcastic remarks and side comments? Picture it delivered right to your ear. But Ed reads the narrated parts in his own gorgeous British accent and I was so enamored with it that I started making a list of words which Ed could say at any time on truly any occasion. I’ll place those in the comments section for your amusement and mine.

I know that those of you who have already read City of Fallen Angels will agree that it is a complex plot with a large cast of characters. Now imagine that story being delivered by two actors who bring ALL the roles and those heart-pounding moments to life and you have the audiobook version. Go on, you need to hear it for yourself. iTunes and Audible both have samples for you to enjoy. In the meantime, I may just go back to hear how Ed, as Magnus, gets just the right tone of exasperated wisdom as he says, “Alexander…” in a voice that implies he’s been around for centuries. Oh, yeah, this is a pause-repeat kind of audiobook.

For a review of the book, read KatieB's no-spoiler thoughts, here.

Blog Tour- Interview with Rage author Jackie Morse Kessler & Giveaway
























We are excited to apart of Jackie Morse Kessler's Rage blog tour! Rage is a book with a very powerful message and you can read my 4 star review here.

I like the way in which you take a very delicate subject and not only make it relatable, but you make it real. Why inspired you write the story?
Thanks! I actually hadn't planned on another Horseman book after writing HUNGER, but as soon as my agent handed that book over to my editor, she asked me, "Which Horseman are you going to write about next?" :)

Based on events in HUNGER, it made sense for the next book's Rider to be War. And it didn't take long for me to connect the sword of War with wielding a blade to self-injure. And that's when I came up with the premise
of RAGE: A 16-year-old self-injurer becomes the new avatar of War.


Missy is a character I think readers will be able to identify with. What is something you admire most about her?
Missy doesn't let the world defeat her, even when she's in the throes of despair. She's much stronger than she realizes, and she does what she needs to do to survive. And when she trusts herself, she's powerful, even fearless.

What is a message you want readers to take away from Rage?
Messages are tough, because I really want readers to come to their own conclusions. If they come away from RAGE thinking about what self-injury is, and what it's not, then I'll be very happy.

What advice would you give to teens who are struggling to overcome something similar to Missy?
Most important: You are not alone. And there are people who are ready to listen. Call To Write Love On Her Arms, and tell your story. **You matter.** No one can take that away from you.

What motivates you as an author?
A paycheck is a powerful motivator when I'm on deadline! **laughs** When I'm not under deadline stress, it's all about the story. There's nothing like writing a line that absolutely works, you know? You reread it, you say it out loud, and you want to cheer.

Is there a book you've recently read that you'd recommend we pick up?
I'm currently in a Sir Terry Pratchett sort of place, and I'm tearing through the Tiffany Aching series. Fabulous stuff -- very highly recommended! :)

__________________________

Thank you so much Jackie for being with us today!

Riders of the Apocalypse giveaway! Three lucky winners will receive one copy each of HUNGER and RAGE along with postcards and a mini-poster! To enter, send an e-mail to RageGiveaway@gmail.com. In the body of the e-mail, include your name and e-mail address (if you're under 13, submit a parent's name and e-mail address). One entry per person and prizes will only be shipped to US or Canadian addresses. Entries must be received by midnight (PDT) on 4/30/11. Winners will be selected in a random drawing on 5/1/11 and notified via email.


Jackie's next stop is at The Story Siren.

Book Review- Rage

By Jackie Morse Kessler
Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Released on April 8th, 2011
Source-ARC from Blue Slip Media/publisher for review
4.5 stars

Missy didn’t mean to cut so deep. But after the party where she was humiliated in front of practically everyone in school, who could blame her for wanting some comfort? Sure, most people don’t find comfort in the touch of a razor blade, but Missy always was . . . different.

That’s why she was chosen to become one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse: War. Now Missy wields a new kind of blade—a big, brutal sword that can cut down anyone and anything in her path. But it’s with this weapon in her hand that Missy learns something that could help her triumph over her own pain: control.

A unique approach to the topic of self-mutilation, Rage is the story of a young woman who discovers her own power and refuses to be defeated by the world (quoted from Goodreads).

Rage is simply a powerful read about a girl who learns to over come self mutilation, as she learns to accept her new role as War. Written in a both a very real and symbolic way, Missy is a character that many readers will be able to relate to and connect with on some level.

Missy is a character whom I really sympathized with. It was heartbreaking reading a scene where she cuts herself due to bullying, but Jackie does a wonderful job at taking the reader inside Missy's mind set. She tackles a problem that all to often happens with teens, which is bullying and and then the hidden problem of cutting. Mixed into this is Missy's new found role as one of the Four Horsemen in the Apocalypse: War.

Jackie also adds a unique character and that's War herself. I was so intrigued with the way she wrote Missy both as herself and as the character as War. War is a separate character that resides with Missy, and I really liked the way Missy learns to overcome War's desires, and instead learns to enjoy the victories, not just as War, but most importantly within herself and over coming her cutting. The most fascinating character to me is Death. Described as good looking, this ageless character teaches Missy control. Control in her new role, control over her emotions, and her re-actions to them. These two characters also work side by side not just metaphorically, but character wise they have a great chemistry together.

Rage doesn't sugar coat the teenage life, and it's a story I would recommend to teens, teachers and parents. It may not be for everyone as it's eye opening, real, heartbreaking and empowering. Yes, there are some scenes that are mildly graphic, yes there is mention of underage drinking, sex and death. I think there's a lot of teens who will find Rage a source of empowerment in helping them overcome the things they struggle with. Rage has a powerful message and I thought Jackie did a wonderful job on delivering it. I was shocked at how engaged I was with the story, which is why I give it 4.5 stars.

Labels